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I am itching so bad!!!

I all of a sudden started itching real bad. I have bruises from me (I know I shouldn't) scratching. My white count is a 1.1, which is normal. But my hgb has dropped to 8.6 from a 10. Could that be causing the itching or is it just getting to the end of tx and I am starting to show the sx more? I can't figure it out. It has been going on for over two weeks. Tried all the allergies that I may have triggered and no help. Have I just got to tough it out? The first Friday of July is my last shot. Some one Help!

Sorry about the itchy/yucky stuff your going though. I remember so vividly what it was like. I can tell you that now at 3 months post TX it is so much better. There were so many different suggestions on lotions and baby oils to use. Just know it will go away. One more shot yippie!!. It will soon be better. Had blood work done yesterday. Dr. just called and my liver panels are normal. First time in years. I now wait for 2 more weeks to see what the Heptimax shows. You take care of yourself. Keep drinking water after TX. I didn't and got real bad headaches. Now its all in the past. Mowing like crazy and taking care of the horses.

I'm so sorry you're having a hard time with this. Maybe Cuteous will be along soon, she's really good at remembering past posts and I know people have posted on itching in earlier threads...
Good Luck!

Three words for itching: Aveeno, Aveeno, Aveeno. Works for me. I use their bath wash and their lotion every day. Oh yeah, I also invested $3.00 in a back scratcher! Best investment I've made in 5 months!

I also suffered with the itch it is horrendous what worked best for me was babyoil gel its thicker and hangs on better Dr also prescibed a cortisone cream for the really tough spots but it was still annoying even after tx was early terminated the itch and riba rash has continued according to some posts the itch will improve goo luck

2 interesting stories...(If this is a duplicate, sorry, I haven't read all the posts yet)
If you are at risk for liver disease, then drinking caffeinated coffee, tea, and soda may help protect you from getting it, HealthDayNews reports of a new study from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Previous research has reached a similar conclusion, although scientists are still baffled as to why caffeine protects against liver disease. "Caffeine blocks one receptor found in the brain and liver. This may have immunological effects, but this is really speculative," lead researcher Dr. James E. Everhart told HealthDayNews.
The study: Along with Dr. Constance E. Ruhl from Social and Scientific Systems in Silver Spring, Maryland, Everhart collected data on 5,944 men and women who were at high risk for liver injury either from excessive drinking, hepatitis B or C, iron overload, obesity, or impaired sugar metabolism. The participants were asked, among many other questions, how much coffee, tea, and soft drinks they consumed.
The results: The more caffeinated beverages these people drank, the less likely they were to develop liver injury, no matter their age, gender, or ethnic group. The study findings were presented to a Digestive Disease Week meeting in New Orleans.
Here is the URL for the above....
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_17832.html

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ALSO.....Interesting

New Study Challenges Current Thinking About Varied Response to Hepatitis C Treatment in Different Racial Groups
Wednesday May 26, 5:01 pm ET
Study Reports Results in African American Patients and Non-Hispanic Whites

KENILWORTH, N.J., May 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Results of a new study published in the current issue of the New England Journal of Medicine show that in patients who have chronic hepatitis C, genotype 1 -- the most common form of the disease and difficult to treat successfully -- non-Hispanic whites achieved one of the highest response rates reported to date, but response rates in African Americans were significantly lower.(1) The findings challenge much of the current thinking about why African Americans respond less well to hepatitis C treatment and underscore the need for further clinical research.
Here is the URL for the above story
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/040526/nyw148_1.html

Call your doc and ask for a script for Zyrtec. It's an antihistamine pill and it worked wonders for me. Stopped that gawd-awful itch in 10 minutes! It workd for most folks but, as usual, not everybody. There are other things he can prescribe if that doesn't work.

Hello to all,
There's a medicinal bath oil called "Balneum Hermal Plus" produced by "Kurt Herrmann Co." in Germany. GREAT PRODUCT & I highly recommended it since it alleviated my itching problems during Tx. Hope that it's available in the U.S.A.
Good Luck

Thanks for the ideas, guys. I haven't posted in a long time and so glad to see such a quick response. I will try everything and let y'all know.
OkieJim, congrats on the end of tx.
Next phone call I make will be to Doc and get some of that Zyrtec. And I will try the Aveeno, also
Thanks a million guys!

I think the itching has been the hardest part of this tx. I am on Periacton. I don't think I spelled it correctly.
It is tough because the meds make my fatigue so much worse!! My father is a Dermatologist and I am driving him crazy :)

Hi Bodie, lad to hear you're almost done w/ tx. But sorry to hear you're having those awful itchies. I used Alpha-Keri bath oil...not just in my bath, but when I stood up from bath..I poured a small amount in my hands and covered my body. It worked wonders for me @ you can get it @ the drug store. I would stand and let it soak in awhile, before "patting" dry. I also took what Indy took Zyrtec...it not only stopped the itch, but helped me to sleep @ nite. Good luck @ best wishes w/ almost being finished on tx. I wish you the best of health!!!! love@ prayers, Cindee

Okie.....All I can say is CONGRATS!!!!!!! You've made it!!!! Hope you can have bar-ba-que Dragon soon!!!!!! Happy Health to you! Much love @ many prayers, Cindee

i was also told no caffiene pretty hard for someone who is a coffee addict i now limit to one large mug of very strong arabica ;daily, strong as hell and black as night.it still doesnt satify the additional need but it is better than none

I'm not understanding the number you gave for your "white blood count".......1.1 isn't "normal" in my world. WBC range should be between 4.5 and 10.5. Mine went down to 2.0 after treatment started, but has slowly moved up to 2.8 since my 12 week undectable result. My Doctor was going to put me on Procrit if WBC went below 2.0.

Hi Bodie-
What I found that is good for (probably minor) itching is
Aloe Vera w/ Lidocaine. You can find it this time of year with the suntan products. It will numb the area for a bit. The aloe will help it to heal if sores are forming from the scratching.
You could use this along with an Rx from the Doc.

Scott-
I find that studies wind up contadicting themselves down the road (re:caffiene) I think moderation is the key. (Well, moderation for most things anyway LOL) We all know the basics of what is harmful and what isn't. If you don't like what a study says then wait a bit, it will change. Which could be a good thing, but then again maybe not. It's hard to keep up with it all.
Anyway- Have a good weekend everyone!
Enigma

I, too, have the itchies! But I am also having weird red "spots" appear. They are the size of a dime. I will have a couple on my arm, acouple on my belly and one or two on a leg. They usually disappear about 5 - 6 hours later only to reappear somewhere else the next day! They itch horribly! Benedryl cream works occasionally. I take Zrytec every morning which works for the itchy skin but not these red things.

I talked to a nurse at my hepatology clinic who said I shouldn't be concerned as long as they go away! Any suggestions would be great. Thanks!

I know what you mean on the bigger spots because I get them also but they do dry out and eventually go away. I have some itching but not near as bad as some that I have read that post. Whenever, I get out of shower while my skin is still damp,,,I put tons of lotion on and that seems to help my skin from drying out so bad. I then rub down with lotion again mid day and again before going to bed. I have noticed if I miss using lotion,,,my skin immediately dries and then I'm scratching!

Don't take this the wrong way but i am glad that I am not the only one with the spots! I have 2 types of spots. The ones that are red really itch! But I also have a few that are dry and flaky. Maybe its time to see a dermotolgist!

What lotions do you find that work the best? I have been using an oatmeal and aveeno lotion which helps.

LOL Nope,,,I didn't take that way because I know its always nice to know someone out there is going through what you are. My back has alot of smaller red spots in clusters and itch like crazy. But these bigger spots are showing up randomly on arms for most part and don't itch. They just start out big red spots and then eventually dry out and fade away but takes awhile. Actually,,,for lotion I have been using Vaseline Healing Therapy,,I like it because it coats your skin pretty thick and seems to make it soft. Also,,,you are drinking plenty of water right? Because that will effect your skin also in the drying! Good Luck and hopefully we will get through this tx without shedding our first layer of skin LOL

Hi Cathy,,,In your head huh? I have had some family members suggest as much also just because like you said,,,they still think you look ok and unless they actually live with you in your house day in and day out,,,they wouldn't have a real clue! It can be aggravating at times when they say things like that and then you are thinking,,,,you want to try a nice little cocktail?? LOL Have a good one!

It is a relief to know that someone else has these same spots! I had to go to the clinic today for another blood draw. I wanted to show one of the nurses a spot to see if this was a typical side effect or an allergic reaction. Wouldn't you know it today I woke up and didn't have any! Murphy's law right?

My sister is studying to be a social worker/therapist. She has suggested that these and my other symptoms are all in my head!!! She said that I am doing this to prove to myself that the meds are working! It is hard for people to understand as I look okay on the outside.

Bodie, I agree 100%. The itching is consistently the worst thing about tx. I've tried everything mentioned on this thread, except the Zyrtec and Clarityne Cort and Elocom. I never heard of the last two, but it's worth a try. I itch like crazy all the time. I'll be thinking of you next month when you're done...I still have at least 24 weeks to go or 36 if I extend. The itching is my new "normal." Good luck and let us know if the itching stops like Okie's did. I love hearing post-tx stories...Judi

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